How do folks do self protraits with the M (sans timer, sans AF). Any tips?

-- Tse-Sung Wu (tsesung@yahoo.com), December 03, 2001

Answers

Do you have exceptionally long arms?

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), December 03, 2001.

With a wide angle lens and held at arms length pointing the camera at yourself can produce funky self portraits.

-- Bert Keuken (bkkn@wanadoo.nl), December 03, 2001.

The best way is to shoot yourself in a mirror with the camera. That way people know that you are totally a Leica-phile at heart :)

Alfie

-- Albert Wang (leica_phile@hotmail.com), December 03, 2001.

Leica M models up to the M4-P include a self-timer. For laer models, 20 foot long pneumatic cable release works well or you can obtain a wind up mechanical self timer accessory.

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), December 03, 2001.

I get my wife to shoot all my self portraits!

-- John Fleetwood (johnfleetwood@hotmail.com), December 03, 2001.

turn around by 180° and measure the distance and light on the back of your outstretched hand. it is a bit tricky to set the camera with only one hand, but if you use your left hand it works with some training. turn around again and take the picture. don't forget to smile!

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), December 03, 2001.

I did this for years, (but nobody liked to have a look at the results):

Stand in front of a mirror with a LEICA M, measure the distance between you and the mirrorframe. Before you expose, double the distancesetting on your lens.

Don´t ask me why, but this way you at least achive a portrait in focus.

Best wishes

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), December 03, 2001.

Sorry to nitpick - Leica models after the M4 do not have a self timer. KG - why not just focus on the reflection (ie the face) in the mirror?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), December 03, 2001.

Doesn't Lee Friedlander do a lot of self portrait work with just a cable release? Maybe you should check his books out.

ken

-- Ken Kwok (kk353@yahoo.com), December 03, 2001.

First, find a Kodak Auto Release Timer. It is a small timer built to attach to the end of a cable release. Then, using that attached to a short cable release, you're there!

You wind the timer up, attach it to the release, and the release to your camera. Compose the pic, release the timer and step forward. This combo is easily packed [doesn't take up any significant room]. You can find those timers on eBay or at flea markets for about $10. Just what you need. Good luck.

-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), December 03, 2001.

Many stores carry an accessory clockwork self timer for $15 or so. It screws into the cable release thread on the shutter release. Works fine with most cameras, including Leica.

All you have to look out for is that the protruding release from the gizmo is not too long. It is easily filed off if so. Perhaps the length can be adjusted with a screw collar ( I vaguely recall that it can). I've misplaced mine for the moment, of course, as with all small camera gizmos I rarely use after buying.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacfic.net.sg), December 04, 2001.

I find the arm's length method a little limiting- but it works. And the mirror would fine, but it *is* a mirror image. And I find the self timer (I have a screw on timer) makes me nervous- I'll see how this last roll came out. A spouse would work too, but hard to keep in a camera bag. ;-)

So I think I'll try to grab a 20' bulb release. I think having some control over the shutter release is important. Thanks all, so far.

-- Tse-Sung (tsesung@yahoo.com), December 04, 2001.

Giles, this works only with the LEICA R or other reflexes IMO.

Got to try this out again, perhaps the focuspoint (with the M) was the mirrorframe which would be more logic. I´am afraid now the doublething was a mess up ... Sorry.

If you use a 35 mm lens on your M focus the camera on the frame of the mirror, move it away from yout face (to your breast or on the side of your head) aim and shoot several times. And there is it: YOU and your LEICA, if you aimed right.

Thats the way Self portaits WITH THE M could have been meant.

If this is not precise enough for you get your tripod and build it up in front of the mirror. Tried pointing the camera at me with 28 and 35 mm lenses (not at the same time of course) for this purpose and it didn´t work.

If you need a perfect setup choose your Winder M and the matching M4- 2, M4-P or M6, put it on a tripod and do not forget the cablerelease. Sit at your desk and focus the camera on the chair before, f 2.8 or 4 should supply enough DOF for this trial. And if you are not a single there is probably somebody around to set the correct distance. If you release the camera personally, you could still call the photo a selfprtrait.

Best wishes

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), December 04, 2001.

Anyone here use LOMO ? use your arm hold camera infrount of U have closest focus with 35 , 28 mm or Wider lens say chese !!!!!

you'll have funny pics! Lomo style

-- Puchong Lau (doctorpuchong@hotmail.com), December 04, 2001.

An alternative method!

Put the M (or any camera) on a tripod and set the focus for where you are going to be and set the exposure time to "B". Put up a flash on the camera or somewhere else and turn off the lights in the room. Trigger the shutter on the camera and lock it open with a cable release. Then step back (don't trip over anything!) and release the flash, either with a chord to a flash meter or to an empty camera. Go back to the camera and unlock the cable release. Voila, a self- portrait.

-- Peter Olsson (peter.olsson@lulebo.se), December 04, 2001.

Put the M (or any camera) on a tripod and set the focus for where you are going to be and set the exposure time to "B". Put up a flash on the camera...

This is fun to do- you can also have your subject hold a penlight and draw something in the air, stop, then you hit the flash. You can point the flash in any direction. Makes for a very neat image- a 'drawing' in light done by your subject. There is a famous portrait of Picasso, I forgot by whom, of him having quickly sketched a bull using a small flashlight of some kind.

-- Tse-Sung (tsesung@yahoo.com), December 06, 2001.

To determine distance in self portrait situation, stand or sit in situs, and focus on the tripod. Then put the camera back on tripod trip the timer, and back to your spot quickly to let camera take the picture.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), December 06, 2001.

Hi, Tse-Sun !

Good question !

Here is an optional way . . .

Regards.

-Iván

-- Iván Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), December 09, 2001.